Samsung May Integrate Fingerprint Scanner in Phones

Motorola embedded the fingerprint scanner in its Atrix smartphone in the Lock button. Apple put it in iPhone 5S's Home button. HTC placed it in One Max phablet's back panel. And Samsung may just put it in the touchscreen itself.

Motorola embedded the fingerprint scanner in its Atrix smartphone in the Lock button. Apple put it in iPhone 5S's Home button. HTC placed it in One Max phablet's back panel. And Samsung may just put it in the touchscreen itself.

According to a report by Korea Herald newspaper, Samsung will embed the fingerprint scanner in the bottom left and right corners of the touchscreen in upcoming smartphones. "The finger-scanning technology will be available on the bottom left and right sides, and not the entire display," Korea Herald's source says.

The company will restrict the fingerprint scanning sensors only at the two edges because integrating it in the whole display will be too costly. The second half of the year will see Samsung smartphones having whole touchscreen work as the fingerprint scanner. The report says that the source suggested that the full-screen fingerprint scanner is not yet satisfactory.

The South Korean juggernaut will roll out health apps centred on the fingerprint scanner (such as checking the user's pulse when the sensor is touched) in the near future. Samsung smartphones already come pre-installed with the S Health app, which focuses on health and fitness.

Samsung will also do away with the hardware buttons in the smartphone, instead opting for on-screen keys like other major manufacturers, the report says. Galaxy S5 is expected to be thinner than its predecessor, as Samsung will use a new touch panel technology in the device.

Instead of the standard four-layer panel, the company is reportedly using a single-layered panel that will improve transparency level, resulting in better energy efficiency and viewing accuracy.

This thinner panel also helps Samsung create its first smartphone with no bezels on the sides. Apple is also said to be working on a smartphone with no bezel. Samsung Galaxy S5 users will also be able to operate its touchscreen while wearing gloves; Nokia has offered this feature in its smartphones since 2012.

The company has sent out invites for the Unpacked 5 event for February 24, where it is expected to unveil the Galaxy S5.

According to the data recorded by a benchmarking app recently, the smartphone will feature a full HD display, 16MP rear camera, 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, 3GB RAM and Android 4.4.2. Earlier reports have said that the device will have a 5.25-inch screen and 3,000mAh battery.